Our hotel arranged to take our big bags to be put on board ship. We went to Tim Hortons for breakfast and wifi. We had a while till it was time to board so we just relaxed in the hotel room and then down in the lounge.
The Sapphire Princess in port, Vancouver.
We decided at 1pm to get on board. What a mess!
We had to wait in a queue to get our bags checked. It took forever. Then we had to sit in a hall and wait for our row to be called to go to queue to go through US customs again! More hand and thumb X-rays and photos. Finally, after about three hours, we were ready to find our cabin.
It was a reasonable size, with a queen sized bed, very small shower and a small balcony. There was room for our luggage underneath the hanging space.
My suitcase did not arrive and, just before the compulsory safety drill, I got a phone call from security telling me there was a problem with my bag. I had a fruit knife which was confiscated for the duration of the cruise.
We then had to go quickly to the muster station and go through the safety drill.
Then it was time to go up on deck to bid farewell to Vancouver on a lovely, sunny day.
At last, after all that, we were free to explore the boat.
That night, we just had dinner at the Horizon Court (where we had breakfast each day).it was a buffet with plenty of choice. We had to sterilise our hands each time we entered. This apparently helps stop the spread of infection.
Sunday 22nd September
This was at sea. Unfortunately, it was quite rocky and there was evidence of seasickness. I was lucky that it did not affect me. I wore the travel bands on my wrists but I don't know if that helped.
We just looked around the ship this day and enjoyed the facilities.
The rocking seemed worse at night. Apparently the typhoon in Japan had caused the rocky seas on the other side of the Pacific.
Monday 23rd September
Juneau, our first port of call. Many people had organised tours to see various parts but we simply walked off the boat and bought tickets to the Mount Roberts Tramway. We had a good view from the top.
Tuesday 24th September
Skagway
This was to be our excursion day. We booked a toue to the Yukon with a return trip by train.
It was cloudy but there were hints of sun and we were hoping to avoid the rain.
We set off in a bus driven by Bruce, our guide, who comes from Skagway. He is an ivory carver during the winter months when no tourist boats come.
We stopped along the way for photos. At one point a bear was spotted far away on the hill.
We reached the Yukon and everyone took photos.
We moved on to our lunch stop where there was a museum of stuffed animals found in this region now or in the past.
There is also the opportunity to ride a sled pulled by dogs, but we did not do that.
On the way to the train, we stopped at a small Indian village and then the sun came out and highlighted the fall foliage so we stopped for photos.
Then we drove to the White Pass Railroad train.
One view from the train.
After that we did some shopping then went back to the boat.
Wednesday 25th September
Glacier Bay
I got up early to watch the boat sail into the bay. It was foggy but sunny too. When we reached the bay and the glaciers, most people were up on deck. It was freezing.
There was some sun in the distance but it was mostly cloudy.
We did manage to see a little calving but not so spectacular as some I have seen.
The rest of the day was at leisure.
Thursday 26th September
Rain!!!
Today was wet. We went on a tour to look for bear but saw none. We did see salmon swimming up a steam over rocks to spawn.
We then went to an Indian village to see totem poles. The problem was that the rain did not stop.
After the tour, we did some shopping near Creek Street, an infamous brothel area in Gold Rush days.
Creek street
We then went back to the ship.
Friday 27th September
At sea. This was the day for packing and relaxing as tomorrow we dock in Vancouver.
Saturday 28th September
Return.
The arrival was much better than the boarding. We put our big cases out the night before. We were told what time we were to disembark. I had to collect my confiscated knife at a special deck so we disembarked from there.
We collected our luggage and waited in line for a cab. It was wet again.
We arrived rather early at our b n b but that was not a problem.
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